Cricket: North Otago still outside chance of being challenger

North Otago, which has only a remote chance of becoming the
zone challenger, will play its final Hawke Cup elimination
game against Mid Canterbury this weekend.

It will be a memorable game for North Otago all-rounder Glynn
Cameron, who will be playing his 50th game for the province.

At the other end of the age spectrum, Waitaki Boys' High
School all-rounder Jeremy Smith (18) will be making his
debut, coming in to replace Ricky Whyte.

Mid Canterbury, a relatively inexperienced side, will be
playing its second game after losing outright to Otago
Country last weekend.

Mid Canterbury coach Richard Pithey has hopes for his young
side.

''We had two 16-year-olds in against Otago Country, Jeremy
Punselie and Dion Biggs, while Will Southby, Tom Meyrick and
Ben Ward are only 18-year-olds and Matt Tait a year older.

''We definitely improved against Otago Country, especially
with our bowling. But in the second innings, while we had
players making 20s, 30s and 40s, what we really required was
someone to go on.''

Mid Canterbury has made two changes to its team. The
experienced Paul Warren comes into the side to strengthen the
bowling, and Kurt Polson joins his brother, Rob.

Maximum points for Mid Canterbury against North Otago would,
with games yet to be played against South Canterbury and
Southland over the next fortnight, give the side the
opportunity of becoming the zone challenger.

Games remaining to be played are South Canterbury (12 points)
v Mid Canterbury (0) next weekend, and a week later, South
Canterbury v Otago Country (18) and Mid Canterbury (0) v
Southland (18). The zone challenge is from March 8-10.